THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 73 



•which, consequently, never can make healthy plants. If the layers 

 are taken off at an early period in the autumn, and judiciously 

 potted in sale pots, the roots will show themselves all round the 

 pots in the spring. If this is not the case, I advise you on no 

 account to buy such a plant, for it will not succeed. The absence 

 of plenty of root-fibres is indicative of some obstruction or unhealthy 

 condition of the plant, which will not exhibit its consequences until 

 warm weather arrives, when it will dry up and die, or at least lead on 

 a miserably stunted existence. 



Carnations will look healthy, and deceive the grower during the 

 whole winter, when there is scarcely any root at all, and therefore the 

 rule I have laid down cannot be considered too strict. If you can 

 get a nurservman or some experienced friend to point out the sorts 

 which are most hardy and productive, and can purchase well-rooted 

 layers, you have the best chance of success, and may proceed with 

 some hope in your labours. 



The next question is, shall the flowers be grown in pots or in the 

 open ground ? The first plan is generally adopted with first-rate, 

 and often with common flowers ; but I think the practice is of very 

 questionable utility. The advantages offered by pot-culture are, 

 the economizing the soil, which is often very artificial in its cha- 

 racter ; the exclusion of wire- worms, which can of course be effected 

 more certainly in a pot than in a flower-bed ; and the ease with 

 which layering can be performed, and other manipulations in reference 

 to the plants carried on. 



Now, there are disadvantages which must be balanced against 

 these. Pots are in constant need of watching, lest they should 

 become too dry ; and yet, on the other hand, if often watered, the 

 soil is reduced to an innutritive mass, requiring liquid manure to 

 restore its properties ; nor do the plants ever acquire the vigour in 

 pots which they gain in the ground. As to soil, any good loam will 

 grow Carnations well, and a small bed may easily be made of any 

 materials which it is thought desirable to use. Wire-worms may be 

 carefully searched for ; or, what is best, never plant in soil which is 

 pestered with them. To the novice I would recommend planting in 

 beds, in rows two yards apart, to allow of easy access ; and the 

 plants a foot from each other. 



The Carnation is very impatient of much wet, and a well-drained 

 spot should, therefore, be chosen. Tor the same reason deep 

 planting must be avoided. With these precautions, you may expect 

 your efforts to be successful, and I hope, if you are induced to make 

 a trial this year, you will rejoice in the beauties you have succeeded 

 in raising. 



If you prefer the pot system, let the pots be very large, 

 with good drainage. Oyster shells are excellent for this purpose. 

 When your plants begin to spindle up, let sticks be at once 

 applied, and keep the shoots tied to them as the growth proceeds. 

 Those who grow Carnations for the first time are amazed at the 

 length of stick required by some of them. Never use one less than 

 four feet out of the ground, and I have known some kinds exceed 

 that height. If you intend to exhibit, a multitude of rules must be 



March. 



